All posts by h716a5.icu

[ad_pod ]

According to De Telegraaf, Liverpool are interested in signing PSV Eindhoven sensation Steven Bergwijn, who is also attracting the interest from Manchester United, Tottenham, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan.

The Netherlands international has enjoyed an excellent personal campaign so far this season, netting 11 goals and recording 13 assists in both the Eredivisie and the Champions League.

Is Jurgen Klopp a “serial bottler”? The fan in the video below certainly thinks so…

PSV reportedly value the 21-year-old in excess of £30m, and any potential departure for the young forward could eclipse the record sum from a player exiting the Eredivisie – Memphis Depay’s £31m move to Manchester United is the current record.

Having said that, despite his enhancing reputation in the game, what are the potential consequences of Liverpool signing Bergwijn? Football Fancast takes a look…

A struggle to adapt to the Premier League

As we’ve seen in the past, some players have seriously struggled to adapt to the English game. Luuk de Jong, who was the Eredivisie top scorer in 2011/12 with 25 goals in 24 games, failed to net a single goal for Newcastle in the 2013/14 campaign.

Even the aforementioned Depay, who hit 22 league goals in 30 appearances for PSV before joining the Red Devils, managed to last just a season and a half at Old Trafford before leaving for Lyon – he was branded a flop having scored just seven goals for the club in total.

Liverpool already have enough players who fail to make an impact off the bench in most games, such as Daniel Sturridge, Adam Lallana and occasionally Divock Origi, so the last thing they need is another ineffective player – especially for such a hefty sum.

Becomes an expensive bench player

Bergwijn is a vastly similar player to one of the Reds’ best players, Sadio Mane. Both forwards are right-footed, but prefer to be deployed out on the left flank where they can cut in and test the goalkeeper with their stronger foot.

Given the Senegalese’s form over the past two campaigns, coupled with his unerring ability to stay fit – Mane has missed only a handful of games on his way to netting 39 goals across the pas two seasons – Bergwijn would struggle to dislodge the 26-year-old.

Bergwijn could go down as a very expensive back-up option, with no real guarantees that he will perform in the little game-time that he would be afforded given Mane’s key player status at Anfield.

 Klopp could upset Liverpool’s rhythm in a bid to accommodate Bergwijn

Given the vast amount of top European clubs chasing Bergwijn’s signature, one would assume that Liverpool will have to give the young Dutchman assurances over his place in the team in order to fend off interest from elsewhere.

Couple that fact with the aforementioned point about Mane pretty much having the only position Bergwijn plays in nailed down as his own, Klopp may have to rotate things around and disrupt his dynamic attacking trio’s rhythm to accommodate Bergwijn.

Whilst depth is key, much of Mohamed Salah’s, Roberto Firmino’s and Mane’s effectiveness derive from the fact that they are constantly playing alongside each other, and have thus struck up a powerful relationship – Bergwijn’s arrival could potentially knock them out of their rhythm.

[ad_pod ]

A group of West Ham United fans on Twitter have been salivating over a video posted on Thursday of homegrown talent Declan Rice in England training.

It was shared by the Irons’ official account via the Three Lions’ Twitter as the 20-year-old participated in his first training sessions as an England player.

Rice looked settled among much more senior internationals taking part in drills and mini matches at St. George’s Park following his first call-up by Gareth Southgate after switching his allegiance from the Republic of Ireland.

At one point, the Academy of Football product was seen dispossessing European football wonderkid Jadon Sancho, prompting one member of the Claret & Blue Army to comment “Declan put Sancho back in his place.”

Meanwhile, other supporters were just purely delighted to see him there, expressing their thoughts through calling him a “legend,” urging that he must start against the Czech Republic at Wembley on Friday evening and proclaiming that he’s already showing the levels of regular England midfielder Jordan Henderson.

Check out some of the best reactions from excitable Hammers to the video, below…

Who is your club’s worst ever January signing? The Pl>ymaker FC squad have picked theirs in the video below and they didn’t disappoint…

For Mike Ashley’s ‘buy young, sell big’ policy is ever to work at Newcastle, it would appear that the best starting point to implement it would be the club’s academy.

Rafa Benitez has long argued that the whole youth system should be revamped, and evidence that the hierarchy are starting to listen to the Spaniard is clear, with the back-room staff at that level being overhauled this summer.

But it is a transfer system that is flawed in many ways, and any chance of such a strict remit ever being successful would demand that promising young players already on the books at Newcastle, must be held on to, and tied down to contracts that will see them reach their maximum potential (highest transfer value, in Ashley-speak).

After all, cherry-picking the best teenagers from the schools and youth teams within their catchment area across the North East is the surest way to maximise your profit margin in future sales (Ashley-tongue again!).

But even when not doing that, having a scouting network that finds talent from other areas of the country and making them see their futures on Tyneside is the next best thing.

With that in mind, it would surely be unacceptable to allow Arsenal to come in and pinch one of those talents from the club, as may be the case with England Under-21 goalkeeper, Freddie Woodman, according to a report in the Newcastle Chronicle.

To allow someone like Woodman to leave — someone who is touted as a full England international in the making — before maturing to that ‘maximum potential’ would be criminal.

It would send out the wrong message to anyone thinking about committing to Newcastle at a young age, and would definitely not be what is supposedly printed on the label of every player vetted by Ashley and Lee Charnley.

Woodman has been patient with the club. He wanted to go out on loan, but was not able to, for whatever reason. He has been on the bench for much of the Magpies’ season, and was given an opportunity to play in the side’s three FA Cup games.

It is clear that Rafa sees a future for the talented keeper at the club, so once again, the question is being asked of just how much do the club listen to the manager?

He should be offered a decent contract that show him how much belief the club have in him, and will see him continue to grow at St James’ Park.

Woodman, and players like him, should be kept at all costs — or at least until Ashley sees another few numbers preceding zeroes on his future value — or the transfer policy that is doubted by most, will prove to be doomed by everyone.

Would you do everything to keep talented youngsters like Woodman at St James’ Park, Newcastle fans? Do you think Ashley’s vision for Newcastle is ever going to work? Let us know below…

[ad_pod ]

Let’s cast our minds back to December 2018, before Christmas and before Jos Luhukay had been sacked as manager of Sheffield Wednesday.

The Owls had won just one in their previous ten games and Keiren Westwood was nowhere to be seen.

The 34-year-old was behind both Cameron Dawson and Joe Wildsmith in the pecking order and hadn’t played a single game in the campaign until Luhukay left the club. All it took was one match following his departure for a seemingly poor decision to be reversed.

Since the Dutchman departed, Wednesday have looked a considerably better team and it can be no coincidence that it’s happened with the return of experienced goalkeeper Westwood to the starting XI.

He has played a pivotal role in the Owls’ turnaround this term, particularly under Steve Bruce who showed faith in the goalkeeper after he’d initially been reinstated by those in caretaker charge.

Under Bruce, Sheffield Wednesday are unbeaten, having gone an incredible 12 games without suffering defeat. They have witnessed a meteoric rise, leaping to 11th in the table and just three points off the play-offs. It would be some achievement if they were to make it, and they will largely have the likes of the manager and Westwood to thank if they do.

Bruce’s teams are usually well drilled and he’s injected that into the Wednesday side, laying strong foundations in defence that have led to a remarkably consistent outfit.

Westwood has been imperative and his ten clean sheets in as few games as he’s played puts him among the best in the division in 2018/19.

Before he came into the team, the Yorkshire club had kept just two clean sheets in the league. His performances are only elevated because of that and there can be no underestimating the influence he’s had.

The Irishman has provided a calm influence behind the back four which only creates confidence and at the moment the Owls look unbeatable.

If a player of the season award could be done based on those who have performed the best under Bruce then the 6 ft 1 stopper would be a very strong contender.

[ad_pod ]

The Telegraph have delivered the report all Newcastle fans have been waiting for, claiming Rafael Benitez is close to signing a new deal with the club.

What’s the story?

According to The Telegraph, it is “almost certain” that Benitez will extend his stay on Tyneside.

The Toon Army have been desperate for some concrete news on the Spaniard’s future, and the report claims that despite the lack of information available in the press, “concrete” talks have taken place over a new deal.

Mark Douglas of The Evening Chronicle has added to the reports, saying: “It’s more likely than not”, but stopping short of siding entirely with The Telegraph’s report.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals why Tyne-Wear is a more intense derby than anything London can offer – check out the video below….

A boost in more ways than one

It goes without saying that signing Benitez to a long-term deal would be a massive coup for the club.

The lovable Magpies boss has multiple league titles and European medals to his name, and his man management with such a limited squad on Tyneside has been nothing short of exceptional.

What is just as promising though is the fact that Benitez would likely not stay without the promise of some proper signings.

The Evening Chronicle reported in February that the boss was already preparing his plans for the summer window, so why would he pen a new contract if those preparations had not been heeded upstairs?

Mike Ashley has taken plenty of (deserved) stick for his transfer dealings, but after smashing the club’s record to sign Miguel Almiron, penning Benitez to a long-term deal would be the clearest indicator yet that the infamous owner may be about to take the shackles off, because quite simply, “Rafa” would not stay otherwise.

There was a time where Jason Gavin seemingly had the world at his feet (yes, really).

Born in the Republic of Ireland, the defender moved to England in 1996 as a teenager to join Middlesbrough. Although he only made sporadic appearances for the Smoggies, his experience of playing in the top-flight attracted the attention of Bradford City who signed him in 2003 in what proved to be a disastrous move.

The Bantams were in the First Division at the time and were hoping to avoid a relegation battle under the guidance of Nicky Law yet a terrible start to the campaign saw the former Chesterfield boss lose his job in November. Bryan Robson was brought in to try and steady the ship yet it proved to be an impossible task. In a season that saw the club concede 69 goals in the league, much of the blame was passed onto Gavin who had failed to demonstrate anywhere near the levels of performance that they had hoped he would have produced at Valley Parade. The 2003/04 campaign ended with Bradford being relegated to the third tier as they finished 15 points adrift of Gillingham yet the worse was still to come.

After the season had ended, the club announced that they had entered administration with debts of £13m revealed in an annual financial meeting (via the BBC). This forced the club to put many of their players up for sale in the following summer, including Gavin who unsurprisingly didn’t have many takers giving his escapades in the previous season. After being frozen out of new manager Colin Todd’s plans, the defender moved back to Ireland in 2005 where he had a brief spell at Shamrock Rovers before moving onto to Drogheda United where he made 65 league appearances for the club.

Having once graced the Premier League, the drop down in level for Gavin illustrated just how quickly things can fall apart if a player ends up making the wrong move during what is a critical stage for their development. The former Middlesbrough player eventually retired from football in Australia at the age of 32, calling time on a career which was ultimately ruined by his decision to join Bradford.

[ad_pod ]

Leeds United fans have taken to Twitter to rejoice after they regained second place following the midweek fixtures in the Championship, brutally trolling promotion rivals Sheffield United in the process.

Ahead of the latest matchday in the second tier, the Blades were sitting in second, the final promotion spot, behind Norwich City with Leeds down in third.

The Whites did their bit by beating Preston North End on Tuesday with supporters awaiting the result of their Yorkshire rivals’ trip to Birmingham City a night later, and Chris Wilder’s men slipped up with a 1-1 draw to hand them back second.

Peacocks wasted no time in tacking to social media to hilariously blast their Yorkshire neighbours, with whom they’ve been embroiled in a season-long battle to return to the Premier League.

One posted a GIF of a famous Chuckle Brothers scene to annotate the two sides constantly handing second back to each other, while others followed, making out United to be bottlers and claiming that the wheels are falling off for the Sheffield club.

Check out the funniest Leeds reactions to the result at St. Andrew’s, below…

Among the multiple additions Rafa Benitez – or whoever else is in charge of the Magpies – needs to make after this season, the midfield will surely be a key part of the overhaul.

Indeed, with Isaac Hayden seemingly pondering a move away and Jonjo Shelvey linked away, there’s a need for a reliable, steely midfielder to hold down the fort.

The Magpies are looking for an emerging midfield prospect and according to reports (as per the Northern Echo), they’re targeting Fulham’s, Tom Cairney, who is valued at £13.5 million (by Transfermarkt). The 28-year-old was one of the few bright sparks in the Cottagers’ dismal season, displaying courage and willingness to hold down their midfield line.

Linked with a move to St. James’ Park in January 2017 too, it seems like there is a long-standing interest in the Scotland international up on Tyneside.

In order to get this deal go through, Mike Ashley could be aiming to use loanee Dwight Gayle as bait considering Fulham’s apparent liking for the striker. Indeed, at this point, it could be a beneficiary swap move for both parties, as Newcastle would get their long-term midfield general. Cairney’s done really well in maintaining intensity in midfield, recording 55% tackling success, 123 ball recoveries, 110 duels won in 28 appearances (stats via Premier League).

Not only that, but he’s also averaged 42 passes per game and showcased signs of creativity by putting through some clever passes to his attackers. Creativity has been a problem at St. James’ Park for a while now – outside of Shelvey – so a move for the ex-Leeds United would certainly move to address that. A player who can help his dominate games and also act as an industrial figure to hound opponents, he’d set up according to Newcastle’s style pretty well.

Imagine how nice it’d be to have someone really feeding Miguel Almiron next season. Indeed, the Fulham man has the ability to pick the passes that can get the South American into dangerous positions and he has the ability to drag defenders towards him, which will create even more space for Almiron.

Toon fans. Hugely, hugely exciting.

Cairney’s quite different to whatever the Magpies have now, he possesses commanding traits to add courage to Newcastle’s midfield. As a potential replacement for Shelvey, he’s about the best the Magpies can hope for.

Newcastle fans, would you be pleased with Cairney’s potential arrival? Join the discussion by commenting below…

[ad_pod ]

Loads of Rangers fans have been running the rule over Sunday’s action, and they’re delighted with the form of Nikola Katic.

Rangers appeared to have found a centre back duo for the future at the beginning of this season, pairing the young and inexperienced Katic with the commanding leadership of Connor Goldson.

Barring a few rough patches, Goldson has been excellent throughout the campaign, but things have not gone so smoothly for Katic.

The young Croatian lost his place to Joe Worrall, much to fans dismay, and to say Worrall didn’t exactly impress would be an understatement.

Steven Gerrard has recently done what fans wanted all along though and brought Katic back in to partner Goldson, and the 22 year-old has not disappointed.

He won both penalties in the 2-0 win against Aberdeen on Sunday, and between he and Goldson they headed away absolutely every ball that the Dons lumped forward.

You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below, where the fans have proved the gaffer’s earlier preference of Worrall to be dead wrong…

[ad_pod ]

Lots of Rangers fans have been running the rule over their clash with Aberdeen, and they’re absolutely full of praise for James Tavernier after the star sent a post-match message on Twitter.

The Gers have had a real rollercoaster of a season. At times it felt like Steven Gerrard’s side were destined for something great as they waltzed through the Europa League qualifiers and went on a brilliant domestic run, but a string of dull draws before defeat to Celtic eventually ended their hopes of silverware.

No one has had more of an up and down campaign than Tavernier, who took his tally to 18 goals in all competitions on Sunday with two penalties.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

The skipper has racked up a truly remarkable 38 total goal involvements this campaign from right-back, but his defensive deficiencies have angered the Ibrox faithful at times.

Fans fumed when he neglected his captain duties during their poor run of form, and his defensive lapses did cost goals and points earlier on this season.

Everyone is on the same page after Sunday though, as it seems even those who were critical of the skipper have changed their tune.

The 27 year-old shared his delight on social media after the game, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…